Legal issues for remaking an Atari game?

[Aerodinamico]

I intend to create a game for HTML5 based on Ram It. It would be a modern version of it, with music, power-ups, new graphics and other features that Ram It did not have (in addition to a completely different name). However, before starting to develop anything I would like to know if I could have a legal problem from Atari or Telesys because of the similarities between both games. I have read about several projects of this type that Atari has taken off for not having agreed.

The truth is that my game would not be a port (as I just mentioned), but something like a remake that would include several things that have occurred to me and with which the original concept did not count (that in essence; it may be that over time my product will be a quite different game, but for now I plan to do something faithful to the original concept, but with additional content).

I have searched for information in order to contact Telesys, but it seems impossible. Would it be appropriate to write to Atari and request written permission?

Thanks in advance!

[+cvga]

It wouldn't do any good to ask Atari since they don't own the rights to Ram It. Given that your game is going to have updated graphics, new features and a different name, you're probably going to be okay without contacting Telesys.

[pacman000]

I'd suggest looking up Capcom vs. Data East.

[Aerodinamico]

Thank you for your answers.

Today it is very difficult to contact Telesys. I've only got the names of some of its members, but nothing more.

About the case of Capcom vs. Data East, I want to mention that I read about it and also about some other cases (such as Sega against EA, Fox Interactive and Radical Games, and another case in which EA sued Zynga). That's why I have the concern.

Anyway, my game will have no relationship with Ram It (that's why I will not even use a name that resembles it), except the use of the same basic mechanics. Moreover, I do not have access to the source code of Ram it, so I will write the source code of my game completely, create the designs, compose the music, etc. I would like to get something that brings new ideas, but without losing the essence.

I will wait for more answers to have a more generalized vision, but I greatly appreciate yours.

[RamrodHare]

From the sounds of it, your game is going to be different enough. There's no need to worry. What you are basically doing is creating an original game, inspired by Ram It. you aren't infringing on any intellectual rights by doing so.

[Lord Innit]

There had already been a similar but different enough game to Ram It from back in the day. Squeeze Box by US games.

Don't think you need to worry about anything other than to make your game better than Squeeze Box.